Michael Lynn granted bail on €30m theft charges

This report is a localnews.ie summary based on public court reporting and records; sources are listed below.

The Court of Appeal granted bail to former solicitor Michael Lynn, who faces charges relating to the alleged theft of almost €30 million from seven financial institutions. The proceedings were reported on 14 June 2018.

Lynn faces 21 charges at Dublin Circuit Criminal Court, with his trial due in January 2020. He was extradited to Ireland from Brazil in March 2018, having been taken into custody there in August 2013. He appealed after the High Court refused him bail in April 2018.

Lawyers for the Director of Public Prosecutions opposed the appeal. The Court of Appeal considered the time Lynn had spent in custody. Mr Justice John Hedigan said the delay before trial was very disturbing and that, although a flight risk remained, the risk of Lynn leaving the country before trial was much diminished.

Lynn had surrendered his passport and was prohibited from applying for a new one. His wife and children were also required to surrender their passports. He must observe a 9pm-to-6am curfew at his home in Maynooth, sign on daily at Leixlip Garda Station, stay away from ports and airports and not leave the jurisdiction.

An independent surety of €100,000 offered by his sister and her husband had to be approved by the Circuit Criminal Court before his release from Cloverhill Prison.